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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 3: 16TH August 2013 3_CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM AND FUNCTION OF MEMBERS Detail of foundation junction located. The bolted, plated connection shows how the primary structure is connected at the surface. The concrete footing will help to distribute the load that is being concentrated by the width of the column. The load path diagram below shows where the distribution of force on the supports. As expected, the majority of the load force is exerted on the external walls marked by the shaded arrows. The gable pitched roof and the roof joist trusses that support the roof system are in turn supported by the external walls, which are comprised of concrete block work and large steel columns. The footing underneath these columns/wall line would need to have a large surface area to distribute the load that is concentrated at these points. Given the proximity to the river, and the construction of this building on the natural flood plain, differential settlement (Ching, 2011) is a potential risk and is likely to have been a site-specific consideration when the original foundations were laid.

This column connection also exhibits stabilising efforts in the form of stiffener plates that are welded to both elements. The use of electric arc welding is common with steel construction as it is extremely strong in compression and tension and the two connected elements can be treated as a monolithic unit (Vassigh, 2008). Here we can see the use of a fillet weld in joining the overlapping elements as the two columns connect along the same plane (Refer image 1). The connection can be classified as a moment connection as they are “able to hold their original angle under loading by developing a specified resisting moment� (Ching, 2011, 4.17).

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Concrete slab on ground floor has overlaid with a non-slip screed and been painted in the club colours. Creates bold and vivid impact and is effective in the context. (Refer image 1) Storage racks installed. (Refer image 1). Image 2 shows the detail of the connection of the horizontal beam to the vertical column Internal paint job beginning: the extensive white/cream creates a spacious feel.

Decrease in deck area is questionable. This asset has been hampered by a desire for extra storage space.

Decking looking faded and tired. Needs to be washed and stained.

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 3: 16TH August 2013

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Lighting fixtures being installed into roof LED lighting in the gym fitted Wall and roof finishes (refer image 1) beginning to take shape whilst floor system remains untouched.

Exterior remains largely untouched as yet. Will need attention in the coming weeks. Image 2 shows the mechanism used to clean the faรงade in preparation for painting.

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 4: 23rd August 2013 CATEGORY (select) _ 1.FOUNDATION & FOOTING SYSTEM // 2.FLOOR SYSTEM // 3.WALL SYSTEM // 4.ROOF SYSTEM 1_STRUCTURE -

No major changes to structure from previous as expected.

2_MATERIALS -

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Steel stud walls on level 1 decking has been finished with the external weatherboards. Image one was taken from the previous week and image 2 shows how the weatherboards covers the stud wall in image 2 taken this week.

Hardwood kiln-dried wooden benches and steel lockers installed into change rooms (refer image 4) Materials selected for their non-corrosive, water-resistant qualities.

Bathroom partitions installed in bathroom (refer image 3) Flush doors with louvre inserts have been installed in the change rooms to provide ventilation (refer image 3- arrow) Flush doors with ‘narrow light’ glass inserts have been used in the corridors. (Ching, 2011)

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Open web steel joist spans have been plastered over. Services have been strung through the web members and insulation installed before being finished with the plasterboard to be painted. (refer image 1). These members span from Internal stud walls supported by these truss members.

The removal of a large window and frame has left a hole in the southern facing wall and shows the cavity and the load-bearing quality of the block wall masonry. The section allows us to examine the formation of the wall layers as the concrete blocks support

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 4: 23rd August 2013 a large part of the load form the wall itself and the roof. The blocks are connected by steel bracing to the timber stud wall which is finished with plaster. (refer diagram below)

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Column scheme is being reinforced with the selection of materials and finishes. The colour palette of the change room in particular uses a lot of white with highlights of a vivid red. The new lockers and most noticeably the shower adopt this bright crimson colour which emphasises the club culture they are trying to preserve from the old boatshed into the next one. The effect is not overworked and therefore remains effective and subtle in the change room context. If the colour scheme were to be continued through to the function room, this may limit the versatility of the space and restrict its use to the club exclusively. The function space is likely to be rented out for private functions and therefore must be tasteful and simple.

More storage racks have been installed into bay 1. These also are exhibit the school colours of the sub-client, Brighton Grammar School and is an effective way to mark their territory in the club with the red, white and blue hues.

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 4: 23rd August 2013 7_STAGE OF WORKS. DESCRIPTION AND IMPLICATIONS -

All major structural work has been completed. Now must be completed with the installation of doors, windows and hand rails etc.

Construction has been slowed by difficulties with contractors.

Mechanics and electrical work also halted by issues with permits and “city power� who still have not transferred power over to the new switchboard.

Just over a month to go until set completion date and have fallen a few days behind schedule. Works scheduled for the weekend to ensure they can return to the timeline.

The image below shows the chaos of the site with multiple contractors and tradesmen working in the vicinity. Flooring is as yet untouched and obviously the objects in the fore-ground here indicate that the main area is being used as a storage space whilst they attend to the change room, bar and office areas. It would be expected that this main area (pictured) will require significant attention over the next few days/week to get back on schedule.

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 5: 30th August 2013 CATEGORY (select) _ 1.FOUNDATION & FOOTING SYSTEM // 2.FLOOR SYSTEM // 3.WALL SYSTEM // 4.ROOF SYSTEM 1_STRUCTURE -

No major changes to structure from previous as expected.

2_MATERIALS -

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This week the first floor floors are in the process of being prepared for their finish. There are 3 main floor finishes used in the building. o Carpet: the carpet will be rolled out in the function room and office spaces. o Vinyl: predominantly used in “wet” areas do to its water resistance and ease of cleaning, vinyl flooring has already been laid in the change rooms and bar area. These areas are likely to require frequent cleaning as well as be a safe surface in the case of liquid spills. It is also a more cost effective alternative to floor tiling. o Rubber: the gym area will be fitted out with a non-slip thick rubber surface such as ‘Regupol’, which supplies floor surfaces for leisure and recreation facilities such as gyms and fitness studios. The anti slip, non-laminated surface has excellent noise absorbing qualities and is easy to clean and maintain making it a suitable material for the flooring of the gym space.

Image 1 and 2 show the floor being prepared with ‘Ardex feather finish’ (image 3) which smoothes the gradient from the room divider line and creates a smooth, flat surface to lay the carpet on.

Image 4 is taken in the function space to show how the structural column is surrounded with a plaster finish. It is expected that skirting boards will be put in place after the carpet is laid to hide the scuff marks at the base of the column.

Image 5 shows the gym floor facing southwards and shows how the surface has been sanded down to create a flat surface for the rubber flooring to be placed on.

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 5: 30th August 2013 3_CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM AND FUNCTION OF MEMBERS -

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A new entrance doorway has been installed to replace the flush timber doors that were here previously. The door operation system is a “swinging� system and pivots from the head jamb and threshold rather than from the side jamb as hinged doors are normally.

This is ideal for the entrance way as it can be opened both ways and is the most convenient operation for entry. The door also has a fitted door closer that uses hydraulics to reduce the shock from this heavily used door being transmitted into the frame and surrounding wall. In this instance, the door closer has been surface-mounted at the top jamb. (Ching, 2011, 8.04). the panel on the left is a fixed glass panel that provides visual access but remains inert.

The door/window frame is a lightweight aluminium construction that whilst being a relatively low-cost material, is an efficient conductor of heat and therefore is likely to be fitted with synthetic rubber or plastic thermal breaks to interrupt the transmission of excessive heat onto the inside of the building.

In order to adhere to safety regulations, these doors will need to be fitted with safety marks given the commercial setting to prevent any serious injuries from occurring.

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The external stair case has been fitted with a handrail which is a safety regulation. Made of a stainless steel material, the handrail is bolted to the concrete slab at ground level and attached periodically to the steel banister.

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 5: 30th August 2013 4_PHOTOS OF BUILDING PROGRESS (included in sections) 5_DIAGRAMS, DETAILS AND ANNOTATIONS (included in sections) 6_AESTHETIC DESIGN. SKETCHES AND DETAILS -

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The location of the offices is located so as to provide a visual relationship between the office space (coaches space) and the gym (athletes space). The expansive glass frontage also allows for excellent natural lighting as the offices are flooded with light from eastern facing skylights as well as the southern light that infiltrates the southern louvre windows. The high ceilings and simple colour scheme creates an open, airy atmosphere.

The symmetry of the two offices also creates aesthetic continuity and a sense of stability to the eastern wall of the gym.

Lightweight aluminium frames have also been used in this instance. Material properties as discussed above with the entry door frame.

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The laying of the floor surfaces was delayed 2-3 days due to difficulties with the delivery of materials and therefore should have been laid already.

Glazing and window finishes such as the mirror/opaque glazing on the overhead gym/function door is yet to be done as with the tinted glass required in the female change room.

Roof system is largely complete.

Wall system largely complete: final coat of paint and skirting boards required.

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 6: 6th September 2013 CATEGORY (select) _ 1.FOUNDATION & FOOTING SYSTEM // 2.FLOOR SYSTEM // 3.WALL SYSTEM // 4.ROOF SYSTEM 1_STRUCTURE -

No major changes to structure from previous as expected.

2_MATERIALS -

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The floors have been laid with the materials as addressed last week (refer image 1).

Tactile paving has been attached to the concrete slab below the external staircase. The signage on the bathroom doors also include braille for the vision impaired (refer image 2) The offices have been fitted out with pre-made cabinets that have been assembled and attached to the wall (refer image 3) Image 4 shows the gym floor rubber surface.

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The installation of roof fans proved more difficult than anticipated, as it required additional roof bracing to support the high-powered metal fans. This meant that the roof finish has to be segmented and bolstered with cross bracing to support the weight of the fan.

Cutting into the ceiling is not ideal aesthetically but is an unforseen safety requirement. (refer image 1)

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 6: 6th September 2013 -

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Now that the floor has been layed, the final finish, the skirting board, has been attached to the plaster wall. Serving no performative function, the skirting board simply protects the base of the wall from damage (refer image 2).

The exit onto the north facing deck has been replaced with a hinge door that operates on a hinge joint attached on the side jamb, thus allowing only one way (outward) opening of the door (Ching, 2011, 8.04). Also used a lightweight aluminium frame with rubber thermal breaks to reduce the conduction of heat. These windows will also need to be fitted with safety marks (refer image 3).

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Glazed opening: skylight: square dome: allows daylight to enter interior space from above. Metal-framed units preassembled with glass glazing and flashing. This (Ching, 2011, 8.34 Louvre ventilations have been installed into the flush doors and signage attached to doors. Braille signage (refer image 2) has also been attached to the wall surface for assisting the vision impaired.

The paint job on the faรงade has been commenced with the use of paint spray gun for quick application that is then smoothed over with a thick paint brush to achieve the right consistency. This white layer is a priming layer that will then be painted over with a cream coloured, water resistant external paint.

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie WEEK # 6: 6th September 2013 7_STAGE OF WORKS. DESCRIPTION AND IMPLICATIONS -

Only a matter of weeks before the completion date. Internally, the final finishes and fit outs in the bar area are underway. Extensive cleaning required to prepare surfaces for client use External paint job is the last large scale project before contractors have concluded their works.

Very much moving into the fiinal stages of the construction process as the building is prepared for use in the coming weeks.

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A02_FULL SIZE_IN SITU NAME: India McKenzie

_ADDITIONAL RELEVANT INFORMATION AND REFERENCES When undertaking the site visits, I primarily drew up on two main sources to extend my understanding of the foundation and footing system, floor system, wall system and roof system. The modules on basic structural concepts and material properties in the Interactive Structures DVD were especially helpful in identifying the key load paths operating in the building. Given that the foundation system was not being addressed throughout the period observed, it was important that I was able to do my own research and extend my theoretical knowledge through external resources as the project made very few structural changes. The ‘Interactive Structures DVD’ was also particularly helpful in understanding the connections and structural system of the load-bearing walls and its relationship to the steel framework that supports the building.

The roof, floor and internal wall systems were explored in Ching’s ‘Building Construction Illustrated’ extensively and this proved an invaluable source for reinforcing my observations made on site. In particular, the terminology for wall, door and window systems were explained as the site utilised a number of different systems such as the coil door on the ground level, the overhead door dividing the gym and the function space, the hinged louvre/flush doors in the corridors and change rooms and the swinging door seen in the main entry.

A combination of the two aforementioned resources as well as targeted research was used to understand the materiality of the structure that ranged from vinyl floor, weatherboard wall finishes, steel and timber stud walls, bathroom tiling and even the context specific use of the anti-slip rubber flooring used in the gym.

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Ching, F.D.K, 2011, Building Construction Illustrated, 4th Edition, John Wiley & Sons.

Vassigh, S, 2008, Interactive Structures-Visualising Structural Behaviour 2.0, John Wiley & Sons, (DVDROM)

NB: All images are my own unless otherwise cited. Date of image taken is in header of each page unless otherwise stated. _CONCLUSION Over the past six weeks of observation, I have been privy to see the development of the site from the formative state to its current condition, which is very near completion. The progression of the site growing from one week to the next allowed me to understand the sequence of construction and the fast pace of a finely tuned project. The experience of the site manager and his excellent communication skills meant that this project ran smoothly and at completion of my site visits, construction was almost a week ahead of schedule which allowed for more time for the final finishes and detailing in preparation for the handover to the client. Beyond the knowledge I gained of the construction process and systems that I observed, in doing this assignment, i now understand how important clear communication and a collective understanding of the design objectives is to the construction process. The successful completion of the refurbishment project has been underpinned by extensive architectural and engineering drawings, organisation of contractors, availability and preparedness of materials as well as having a conscientious team of site workers.